Page 29 of Brave as It

“Aren’t you fucking clever.” Anna remarks still keeping a gun to her own son’s head. “Always thinkin’ you’re a better mom than me. He came out of my body. I gave him life. You should remember that and know your damn place, Maritza Castillo.”

“Momma, please don’t. I didn’t want you to get in trouble.” Hollis whimpers.

I know that feeling. My father brought his troubles down on me. My best friend and I almost died because of his transgressions. The worst day of my life happened because of my father’s greed and selfishness. How can someone be a parent and not think of their child first? How can this woman call herself a mother when she’s using her son to manipulate us into bending to her will.

I’m not scared like I was before. Now, I’m pissed.

How dare this woman call herself a mother and do this to her son! Mothers are supposed to nurture and protect, not hurt.

“Phones, turn them off, and hand them to Hollis.”

Again, we do as we are told. With the gun still on her son’s head, she guides them both to the bathroom sink. “Drop them in the sink, baby and turn on the water.” Hollis looks over his shoulder to Maritza who nods encouraging the boy on.

“Maritza, you have the most to lose if you don’t follow directions.” A sly smile plays on Anna’s lips. “You won’t have a single tie to Dillon if I take his boy away from you. Take the handcuffs from my purse,” she orders Maritza directly, “you’re gonna cuff Emmalee’s hands behind her back and Dia’s.”

Maritza doesn’t hesitate to do what she’s told apologizing as she does it.

“It’s okay,” I console. Right now, the three of us have to do anything and everything Anna wants for Hollis.

“Dillon, cuffed you yet? Huh, Zizi.” Anna taunts her.

“We aren’t in a relationship, Anna.” Maritza tries to explain. “I’m more like the nanny. Everything is about Hollis between us. Our dynamic is about your son. Plain and simple.”

Anna lets out a laugh turning Hollis back around and moving from the sink. “You’re missing out then. He’s a lousy husband, but amazing in bed.”

Maritza gets a stone-cold look, “not in front of him.”

“Oh yes, you know what’s best for my son. That’s right I forget. Excuse me.”

Maritza tries to soften her face, but it shows she’s still angry. “I am not a replacement for you. He loves you, Anna. He texts me for you.”

“If he loves me, why are you here?” Anna fires back.

“Because he didn’t want you to get in trouble with Dillon. He texts me our code because I have a deal not to tell his dad unless he wants me to. Dillon doesn’t know we are here.” Maritza’s admission makes my heart drop.

The Hellions aren’t close like I assumed.

“We aren’t in competition, Anna. I can never compare to you with your son.” Maritza tries to reason.

“You want my life. Don’t think I’m stupid.” Anna challenges.

Maritza keeps her eyes on Hollis as if he might vanish if she blinks. “Hollis woke up and saw a sign for Georgia. He got scared that his dad wouldn’t let him visit you anymore. He sent the code. I followed our rules, me and Hollis. I’m here for him to be safe” She blinks as if trying to communicate something to the young boy. “In fact, once I can calm him down and let him know I’ll get this all cleared up with his dad, I can go back. We don’t have to even mention what’s going on right now. Just let me explain things to Dillon and let Hollis know for himself you aren’t in any trouble. We can get on our way after.”

Anna gives out a huff, “why then is she here?” She looks to Dia.

“Sisters before misters,” Dia chimes in not letting Maritza explain. “We were having girls’ night in, spa style at my place. She got the text, and I was bored. Figured it was time for a trip. Thought we could take Hollis here to Disney World once we met up with you. Get the word back to Karma and keep us all out of the hotseat with all the Hellions. See, Anna, we had half a plan to get you outta trouble. If you hadn’t drowned our phones, I could even show you the tickets we bought for Magic Kingdom. We got one for you. Even got the photo package. I love when you can just stop and let the people take the pics for you and boom, they pop up in your email.”

The way she keeps it casual and upbeat is mind-blowing. I’m terrified and here Dia is talking like they had this trip on the calendar. She’s not missing a beat while I am trying not to puke or pee my pants.

“I don’t believe shit either of you say.” Anna retorts and Hollis looks up to his mom. “They’re telling the truth. I text Zizi. Check my phone, it’s not broken. Dad doesn’t know, I swear.I didn’t want,” he begins to stutter as the tears start to fall, “I didn’t know I was going to get anyone in trouble. I’m sorry, Zizi,” he looks to Maritza and my heart breaks. “I was trying to help, momma. I just messed it all up.”

“It’s okay, buddy.” Maritza soothes. “No one is in any trouble. Your mom and I’ll work this out. Make sure your dad is okay with this little vacation. Don’t worry, honey. Your momma, she loves you and wanted more time with you, that’s all this is. I know it scared you that your dad would be worried and upset, but I’ll handle that okay. Don’t be upset, please, bud.”

“Take the other pair, put the one on your wrist and come over here,” Anna keeps at it, ignoring her son’s emotional breakdown. “Hollis you’ll hook the other one on your precious Zizi.”

Maritza does as she’s told, hooking one handcuff on her right wrist. Once Anna is close for Hollis to hook the left, Maritza takes her chance before Hollis can secure the other cuff. She reaches out, literally shoving Hollis away from his mother and putting her body between Anna and the boy. Anna reacts raising the gun into the air and coming down across Maritza’s face.

She cries out in pain as Dia and I move to guide Hollis away from the two women. “Run,” Maritza calls out as she goes at Anna again. “Dia get him out of here!” We are stumbling to get Hollis as he instinctively wants to go back to the two women fighting in front of him. Our hands are bound in metal handcuffs behind our backs because Maritza knew she couldn’t not follow Anna’s orders. We have no way to hold onto this boy who is desperate to help two women who matter to him.

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